Boiler



Nov. 1932,

A. J. GALLAHER BOILER Filed Feb. 27. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR I Fw /95w J 6/744 5/ /51? BY ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1932. J, GALLAHER ,$86,387

BOILER Filed Feb. 27, 1928 4 $heets-Sheet 5 J w m m h in m F \Q X it I a L "H J w g INVENTOR ATTORNEYS New. 3, 1932. A, J, G R 1,386,387

BOILER Filed Feb. 27, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG 9 INVENTOR fi/vmfw .1 GHLL/Yf/[R B Y MM.) r

ATTORNEY$ Patented Nov. 8, 1932 UNrre ra'ras new ANDREW J. GALLAHER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI BOILER Application filed. February 27, 1928. Serial No. 2573M This invention relates to improvements in boilers, more particularly to boilers of'the sectional, tubular type.

An object is to provide a boiler of simple construction formed of similar sections, each section being, by preference, formed integrally of one or more headers, and comprising tubes connected with the headers-1n such a manner that the sections are reversible, whereby the capacity of the boiler may be varied by the addition or removal of any selected number of sections. The object contemplates this facility for selectively altering the capacity of the boiler at any time.

A further object is to simplify the manufacture and assembly of steam boilers by the use of an identical kind (or type) of section for both ends, and another type of section for the boiler portion intermediate the A ends. Any number of the latter type of section may, of course, be used, depending upon the boiler capacity desired. By this construction I am enabled to manufacture all of the heating elements by the use of only '25 two different patterns, for the sections described.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a tube section of novel construction, which, when in use, provides a relative- 730 ly large volume of dry steam with a minimum of fuel.

A still further object is an improved arrangement of burners, whereby a single pilot v serves to light all of the burners practically simultaneously, and which affords a simple and positive means to this end even though the number of burners be increased or decreased. The attainment'of this object is'reflected in a substantial saving of fuel, especially in larger installations, due to the prevailing practice of providing a separate pilot for each burner.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the drawings and the following detailed description.

My improvements consist in the novel details of construction, and arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth, defini ely pointed out'in the claims and illussection; Fig. 4 is an elevation of the outer side of an end section; Fig. 5 is a section along line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6' is a rear elevation of an assembled boiler constructed in accordance with, and embodying my invention; Fig. 7 is a front elevation'of the boiler shown in Fig. 6 Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a I sectional cover plate, preferred as a closure means for a side or end of the boiler assembly. Fig. 9 is a plan of my burner assembly, and Fig. 10 a front elevation thereof, when removed from the base or burnerenclosure.

The preferred form of assembly shown and F described, includes a base; a top or cover; a burner assembly or other source of heat; all hereinafter described, and with which areassociated the hereinafter described tube sections referred to above. I

Each of the intermediate sections is, by preference, identical in construction, and of the form shown in Fig. 1. I The section is indicated generally at A, and is formed of a plurality of tubes 11, 12, and 13. Each of these tubes is preferably triangular in cross- 0 section, and serves to connect a pair of headers 1 1 and- 15, of suitable design, one at each side of the section. The header 1 1, is preferably substantially greater inwidth, than the header 15, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. I prefer to form the section as a casting, in which case, a portion of each of the tubes may extend a substantial distance across the header 15, as shown.

It will be seen from Fig. 1, that the arrangement of tubes, relative to each other and to the headers, constitutes a departure from prevailing constructions. In the illustration, the two lower tubes, 12, have a definite trend at an angle to the horizontal, while the upper tubes 11 are shown with an opposite trend, but substantially at the same angle with the horizontal. With respect to the header 14,

the tubes 11 slope downwardly at a slightangle, and the tubes 12, upwardly at about the section.

same angle. The central tube 13, is tapered in cross-section, the upper portion thereof having a trend substantially parallel to tubes 11, and the lower portion being pitched to correspond with tubes 12.

It will be seen, particularly in Fig. 1, that tubes 11,12, and 13, overlap at least one of the headers, for example, the header 15. This construction makes for increased heating surface and aids in determining a desirable direction of flow in the section. The construc tion and trend of the tubes produces the novel course of fluid flow indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1. i The greater part of flow through tubes 11 is to the left (in the figure), while that in tubes 12 is to the right. In the central tube, 13, the flow is in both directions. The described arrangement of tubes and headers results in an even circulation throughout the section, and an absence of pockets and cold zones.

One of the headers, say 14, is provided with openings 16'at one end, and 17 at the other end, as a means for interconnecting the sections, such as those described; the holes being arranged to receive the usual push-nipples or their equivalents. 7

As a means for securing together the various sections in the assembly, each section maybe provided with holes 18 and slots 19, or their equivalents,.for the reception of rods or bolts. I prefer that these holes and slots be cored in when casting the section.

It will be seen from the above description of the intermediate section A, that thetube arrangement causes the water or steam to pass back and forth through the section, and to absorbthe full available amount of heat from the hot gases. This arrangement also insures a steady water line in a steam boiler. A very important feature of the arangement of tubes and headers, is that expansion is rendered uniform throughout the section. Thisresults from the fact that the tubes 11, 12 and 13, although inclined, are of about the same length; and also is due to the fact that header 14. is laterally offset from the bosses in which are located openings 16 and 17.

. Although I show three intermediate sections in my assembly (see Figs. 6 and 7) any number may be used, whether even or odd, to

provide a boiler of exactly thedesired capacity.

A further valuable feature of the invention will'appear from the drawings, whereit will be seen that the section is symmetrical with respect to a horizontal median line (not shown); by this means, any one of the selected number of intermediate sections is interchangeable with any other intermediate section'of the assembly. Thus it is seen that opening 16, for example, may be used either as a top or asa bottom connection for the The result of this feature is that the sections A are reversible, that is, each adjacent section is the same although reversed, and may be cast from the same pattern. (See Fig. 7.)

The end sections B, may be connected at openings 22 and 23 with openings 16 and 17, by means of suitable connections at the ends of the series of intermediate sections A. These end sections are, like sections A, symmetrical with respect to a horizontal median, and by reason of this fact the same section may be used at either side of the boiler. The inner sections A and the end sections B are held together in the assembly by means of bolts 24, extending through the cored holes 18, 19 in sections A, and holes 25 in section B.

The section B is of hollow construction to form a chamber 26. The outer wall of this chamber is preferably substantially flat except for bosses 27 in each of which is located a tapped opening: the opening 28 for the boiler inlet, and the opening 29- for the outlet. Suitable openings 30 for gages, valves, indicators and the like, may also be provided. The inner wall of this section is by preference depressed in several places as at 31, these portions acting as heat absorbing members in the same manner as tubes 11, 12 and'13. The intervening projecting portions, serve with the tubes of section A, to aid in defining the course or path of the gases. As described above, openings 22 and 23 are formed in the inner wall of the section B and with the push-nipples, permit communication with the intermediate sections through the openings 16 and 17. I prefer to provide a head 32, around and between openings 22 and 23, to correspond with like beads for openings 16 and 17. It will be seen that the portions between depressions 31 of section B correspond in trend to the tubes ll, 12 and 13, adjacent to which they are located in the assembly, (see Fig. 7). This arrangementproduces an increased path of flame and heat travel near the end sections, in much the same manner as between ELClJfiCGIll] intermediate sections.

The construction of the sections B is novel in. that the opening 29, whlch serves as the steam take-off for the boiler, is located a substantial distance from opening 23,

and in such a position that steam from the intermediate sections, after entering section B at opening 23, must change its direction in order to reach the steam take-off opening 29. It is also seen that steam produced in the section B must proceed angulately to reach opening 29. By reason of the inclination of the tubes of the intermediate sections, and the heating surfaces associated with portions 31, and because of therelative locations of openings 23 and 29, each of the sections serves to a high degree as a water trap. The described inclination of the tubes, and

of portions 31 tends to cause the water content of the steam to recede from the various delivery openings, due to the greater weight and momentum of the water particles. For the same reason, as the course of the steam is changed in passing beyond opening 23, and again to reach the take-off 29, the water content, continuing its initial or straight path is intercepted by the section walls and a drying of the steam is thus effected. The described features result in an absence of priming, and in a dependable production of relatively dry steam.

A preferred arrangement of sections, in assembly, appears in Figs. 6 and 7. Both theintermediate and end sections are secured in assembled relation, as described, by means of the rods or bolts 24. The addition or removal of only a single unit, is possible, due to the feature of complete reversibility of the intermediate section, referred to above. This feature enables the intermediate section to be of universal adaptability in the boiler, between the end sections, even though adjacent sections are vertically reversed as shown 1n Flg. 7.

The provision of the described beaded portions 32 on each of the sections, provides for a relatively gas-tight joint between each of the adjacent sections. Due to the fact that headers 15 are narrower than headers 14, a vertical opening of substantial width results between adjacent sections of the assembly. These openings facilitate inspection and cleaningof practically the whole interior of the boiler assembly.

' The assembly-of boiler sections may be mounted on any suitable form of base, such as shown at 33'. The base maybe provided with suitable internal projections or lugs (not shown) to receive and support the assembly of sections. For cleaning purposes and access to the burners, I provide a door 34. Above the assembly is provided asuitable top closure 35, which may comprise a flue opening 36 as shown. Enclosing side members may be provided as at 37.

To permit access to the sections for inspection and cleaning, I prefer the use of sectional covers such as 38. These are, for example, of such a width that in a boiler of three intermediate sections, four of the covers complete the front closure. If another section be added, another of the covers 38 may be added, and thereafter an additional cover for the front of each additional section.

' The covers 38 are provided with hooks or their equivalent 39 (see Fig. 8), spaced to engage the bolts 24, so as to support the covers therefrom.

It will be seen from the above description of parts and assembly of a boiler embodying my invention, that the construction makes for unusual economy in manufacture, re-

placement and in altering the capacity of the boiler. Aside from the base, top and side closures, the entire heating portion comprises only two different types of castings; hence, only two patterns are required, and the production economies, incident to extreme standardization, are effected in the present case.

The described boiler further offers all of the advantages due to the use of tubes of triangular section, and in which the tubes in adjacent sections are relatively inverted. The present subject also provides a boiler which is equally well adapted for steam or water heating, and which has no tendency to prime, when used as a steam boiler, and which has the characteristic of producing, almost entirely, a relatively dry steam.

The boiler described is particularly adapted for use as a gas-fired boiler. An assembly of burners suitable for use with a five section boiler will be seen in Fig. 9, in which 40 indicates a burner unit such as the one appearing in Fig. 1. Each unit 40 is sup plied with gas through a feeder pipe 41, 'con nected in turn to a main 42, supplied from a suitable source. A separate burner. 43 is, by "preference, disposed transversely and adjacent to the described assembly of units 40, for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. Burner 43 may be of a type identical with burner units 40, or may consist simply of a section of pipe suitably perforated to provide gas openings in line with the bank or assembly of burner units, and directed toward them. It will be understood that burner 43 burns continuously with units 40, and

adds proportionately to the heating capacity of the connections of pipes 41. Ahead of the connection of pipe 44 to the supply, is shown a valve 45, which may be automatically controlled, as by a thermostat (not shown). A feeder 46 takes off of the main42, just ahead of the valve 45, and serves to supply a pilot 47, for which I provide an enclosure 48, shown as located just outside of the base or other enclosure for the burner assembly. A portion of the front wall of the base is shown at 49. The enclosure 48 is provided with a port or window 50, through which the pilot 47 may be observed. Preferably on the outside of the front 49, T providean air regulator 51 and shut-off cook 52 for each of the burner units 40; a similar provision being made for burner 43, as will appear in Fig. 10.

The advantages of the described burner assembly will be apparent from Fig. 9 when gas per hour. Whatever the number of burners in the assembly, the present construction requires but a single pilot.

In keeping with the provision for increaser 43 ispreferably arranged so that the pipe 44 is provided with a threaded connection 53,

7 ing the burner and boiler capacity, the burnto receive the burner element. It is advisable that burner 43 be of a length to eXtend across or adjacently to each unit in the bank or assembly of burnerslO, and the threaded connection 53, or its equivalent, permits the substitution of a longer or shorter burner section as the number of units may be increased or reduced.

When the burners are in use, it will be understood that the pilot burner 47 burns continuously with asmall flame. \Vhen the valve is opened, either manually, or automaticallyby means well-known in the .art, the transverse burner 43 is first supplied with gas, and is immediately lighted by the pilot 47, which, it will be understood, may be located at any point adjacent the burner 43 and not necessarily at the end thereof, as shown. The burner l3,'has by preference, some of its gas openings directed toward each of the'burners 40, in order immediately to light each of these burners.

Upon closing the valve 45, gas isshut off of the entire system ofburners, except pilot Q7 which serves, when desired, to repeat th cycle above described.

invention; the. example described constituting only a single executional embodiment of the invention, which is submitted'in compliance with the statutory requirements relating to applications'for Letters Patent.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a boiler section, a pair of tubes of opposite inclination, and a tube therebetween, having opposite portions corresponding substantially in trend to the respective inclinations of said pair of tubes.

2. A heating sect1on for a boiler, comprising a pair of non-parallel tubes, a tube having divergent wall portions whose respective trends conform substantially to those of each of the pair of tubes, and an element connecting said tubes.

3. A heat absorbing element for a boiler, of one-piece cast construction and comprising a header member, a pair of tubes disposed at an angle to each other, and another tube having difi'erent diverging portions corresponding in trend, respectively, to the recited pa1r of tubes; all of said tubes being connected to said header member and positioned thereby.

4. In a'boile r heating section, a pair of tubes, and an element having opposite sides oppositely inclined to the horizontal and arranged to effect a counterflow of its fluid content, and disposed between said tubes, said element having its axis substantially coincident with a median line through the section, the tubes being inclined with respect to said median and inclined oppositely to each other.

5. A unit for a sectional boiler comprising a plurality of tubes, oneof which has its axis substantially coincident with a median line through the section, others of which are inclined with respect to said axis and spaced from said median line, whereby the unit is adapted to be positioned in the boiler, either in a normal or in an inverted position and maintain the predetermined course of fluid flow through the boiler.

6.111 a boiler, a fluid heating section including a one-piece tube and header structure, the tube portion and header portion of which are disposed atsubstantially a right angle to each other, said tube portion being connected intermediately of the header por tion, and of a similar, polygonal cross-sectional conformity between its ends, but having a decreasing cross-sectional area from one of said ends to the other thereof, the fluid inlet and discharge of the tube portion being at the end of greatest sectional area, and the-header being provided on its opposite sides with inlet and discharge openings adapted for connection'with other, laterally adjacent sections, said openings being disposed equidistantly from said tube, whereby the section may be rotated about the axisof the tube and employed selectively in inverted and upright relation, while maintaining the assembly location of said header openings.

7. A heating section adapted for a steam boiler, comprising a pair of headers. a. tube terminating in said headers, said tube having portions of different inclination with respect to the headers, and so disposed with respect thereto, that the tube is adapted to maintain therein opposed fluid currents during operation of the boiler.

8. In a heating section for a boiler, a header and a plurality of tubes in communication therewith, one of said tubes being arranged for fluid countercurrents therein, and another of the tubes being so disposed with respect to the header as to adapt it for a unidirectional fluid flow therethrough.

9. A heating section for a boiler including a. plurality of tubes disposed transverse ly of the section, and provided with fluid connections at their ends, some of said tubes being of substantially similar conformity andtrend with respect to their fluid connections, and another of said tubes being dis posed intermediately of the section, and of a conformity substantially distinct from said first mentioned tubes, said last named tube having wall portions of divergent trend, and adapted for the circulation of fluid. in opposite directions in the tube.

10. A heating'section for a boiler, comprising a plurality of tubes, disposed transversely of the section, and provided with end connections some of the tubes being of substantially uniform cross-section, and another of which is disposed between said first mentioned tubes and characterized by nonuniformity of its cross-section, being of tapered conformity between its ends and adaptedfor recirculation. p

11. A heating section for a boiler, including a plurality of tubes disposed transversely of the section and provided with end connections, one of said tubes being of a progressively increasing cross-section, throughout its length, and of a conformity distinct from the other tubes, said last named tube being adapted by its uneven cross section, and so arranged with respect to one of its end connections, as to provide for a fluid flow therein, in opposite directions.

12. In a boiler assembly of sectional construction, a pair of outside fluid sections, and a plurality of intermediate sections, each having an inlet and an outlet opening, each intermediate section being symmetrically formed about a transverse median, and having intermediate and end tubes of substantially horizontal trend and angulate cross section, the intermediate sections being uniformly constructed, and adapted, by their symmetrical construction, to enable rotation of certain of the sections through substantially one hundred and eighty degrees about their transverse medians, without altering the locations of their openings with respect to the assembly, and further adapt ed to be removed, and added, singly, in any order in the assembly between said outside sections.

13. In a boiler of sectional construction, outside fluid sections, and a plurality of intermediate sections which are symmetrically constructed about respective corresponding medians, and provided with inlet and outlet openings thus symmetrically disposed, and each intermediate section including intermediate and end tubes of substantially transverse trend, one of the tubes being arranged midway of the height of the section; the intermediate sections being uniformly formed, and adapted because of their symmetrical construction and relation of openings, to en able rotation of alternate sections, through substantially a half turn, relative to the in tervening sections, while preserving alignment of corresponding openings; the intermediate sections further adapted for individual removal from, or addition to, the boiler assembly, to enable the use of any desired number of intermediate sections.

14. In a boiler of sectional construction, an

outside, fluid circulating section forming one wall of the boiler, and having inwardly ex-' tending, heat absorbing portions tending to produce a movement of fluid crosswise of the section and in opposite directions, saidportions being disposed substantially transversely of the section, and of opposite inclination with respect to the horizontal.

- 15. Ina boiler consisting of heating units in assembled sectional relation, a section adapted to form one end of the boiler, and

contain the fluid to be heated, and fluid containing projections on the inner surfaceofth section, adapted as heat absorbing elements; a pair of said projections extending transversely, of, and oppositely inclined with respect to a transverse median through said section, whereby to effect opposite cross-currents of the fluid within said section.

- 16. In a boiler of sectional unit construction, an outside fluid containing section, forming a boiler wall'and symmetrically formed about its transverse median and thereby adapted to be vertically inverted and used as an end section for either end of the boiler, said section having heat absorbing portions on one of its sides, and provided 7 with vertically aligned fluid connections. 17.' A section for a steam boiler, having an opening adapted as a connection from the boiler, located in, and substantially intermediate one of the side walls of the section and substantially in the upper portion thereof, said opening being out of register and out of alignment with other fluid openings in the upper portion of said section, the section having a second opening in its lower portion, vertically aligned with, and disposed on the same side of the section as said first name opening; each or" said openings adapted selectively for use as a water inlet and a steam take-off, and adapted to permit vertical inversion of the section while maintaining the location of certain of its connect-ions relative to the boiler assembly; v

18. An invertible heating section for a steam boiler, having paired openings, those of each pair being vertically aligned and dis posed equidistantly from a horizontal median through the section, with the pairs of openings disposed on opposite sides of the section, whereby the section is adapted for vertical inversion to provide, irrespective of the assembled posltion of thesection, asteam take-01f and a steam inlet laterally'spaced remotely from each other and on opposite sides of the section. I

19. A heating section adapted selectively for use at either end of a steam boiler, having a steam take-ofl' and a steam inlet laterally spaced from each other, and disposed in op- I posite parallel walls, the take-ofl' being in -nonregistering relation to, and substantially spaced from, said inlet, and a pair ofwater connections disposed symmetrically to the said take-off and inlet, as considered with respect to a horizontal median plane through the section. a 20. A heating section for a boiler having one side adapted to serve as a closure or wall portion of the boiler, and having a pair of openings symmetrically disposed with respect to a center line through the section, and similarly constructed on each side of the center line, whereby the section is adapted to enable the inversion of the section and the use of either opening in constant position in the. assembly, as asteamtake-off for the boiler.-

21. A sectional boiler assembly comprising a pair of identical fluid containing sections forming the end closure walls of the boiler, each of said sections being adapted, upon relative inversion, to be used at the opposite end of. the assembly, and an intermediate section, each-of said sections having'fluid connections adapted for substantial alignment,

the connections on said intermediate section being symmetrically disposed, and the section similarly formed on each side of a transverse median through the section, whereby it is adapted to be inverted and maintain the alignment of said fluid connections, and preserve their locations relative to the boiler assembly.

22. In a sectional boiler, an end section and an intermediate section, said end section comprising heat absorbing projections disposed at an angle to a median through the section, and substantially equally spaced therefrom, whereby the end section is adapted for either end of the boiler, and the intermediate section being formed symmetrically with respect to a transverse median therethrough, whereby the section is adapted to be disposed in the boiler either in the normal or in an inverted position. 7

23, A sectional boiler comprising a pair of end sections, a plurality of intermediate sections and connecting means between said sections; each of the end sections having heat absorbing elements and fluid connections symmetrically disposed with respect to a vertical median through the section, and each intermediate section being similarly constructed on each side of a transverse median, whereby each end section is adapted for said boiler comprising not more than two dissimilar types of heating section, irrespective of the total number ofsectionstherein. 7

- 25. In a heating assembly for gaseous fuel,

a pilot and a plurality of heating burners ofj substantially similar type and construction, one of said heating burners being so positioned relative to said pilot and the remaining burners, that it is adapted to be ignited by the pilot, and to ignite said remaining burners when fuelis introduced into the assembly.-

26. In a fluid heating section of cast unit construction, a header, and an individual tube of angulate section, having its axisisubstan tially at a right angle to, and connected centrally with the header element, the header being provided with lateral inlet and supply openings, equally spaced from said tube axis, to enable inversion of the section and maintenance of the assembly location of said openings, said tube having wall portions diverging toward said header to provide an increasing sectional tube area, proceeding along the tube toward said header, and the tube having its inlet and discharge only in one of its ends connected into said header.

ANDREW J. GALLAHEB.

either end of the boiler, and any intermediate section is adapted to be inverted, and in any operative position, have its fluid connections always disposed in the same fixed locations relative to the remainder of the boiler assembly. c

24. A boiler comprising cast fluid containing and heating sections, forming substantially plane end closures each adapted for use at either opposite end of the boiler, and cast intermediate sections, of a uniform, invertible type, adapted for assembly in any selected number between a pair of the end sections, 

